The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) is a regional inter-governmental organization established in 1980 by the 3 East African Partner States (Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda) with the aim of facilitating contact between the universities of East Africa, providing a forum for discussion on a wide range of academic and other matters relating to higher education, and helping maintain high and comparable academic standards.

The IUCEA exists to facilitate, coordinate and promote sustainable and competitive development of universities in the region by responding to the challenges facing higher education, and helping universities to contribute to meeting national and regional development needs through its various activities. The IUCEA now has a new strategic plan that is aimed at transforming the organization into an effective regional advocate and catalyst for the strategic development and management of higher education in East Africa.